CAMS Certification Exam: Eligibility, Syllabus & Preparation Tips

The financial ecosystem is more complex than it seems, and combating the cases of money laundering and terrorist financing has become the most crucial task for organisations. Organisations are often in search of Anti-Money Laundering professionals, and the CAMS Certification Exam, which is offered by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), is a global gold standard for AML professionals.

Let’s explore all the necessary details that are related to the CAMS Certification Exam, eligibility, syllabus and preparation tips.

What is CAMS Certification?

CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) is an internationally recognised AML certification awarded by ACAMS (Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists). It validates proficiency in AML, KYC, sanctions certification & transaction monitoring.

Organisations that deal with banking, fintech, insurance and government sectors always prefer professionals who have cleared the CAMS Certification Exam, as this ensures that they can meet the international standards for AML compliance and best practices.

Eligibility For CAMS Certification Exam

Candidates who are willing to give the CAMS certification exam should have:

• Active ACAMS membership
• 40 eligibility credits required

Education

• 20 for Bachelors
• 30 for the Masters
• 40 for JD or PhD

Work Experience

• 10 credits for each year of experience
• Unlimited

Training

• 1 credit for each hour of financial crime-related training
• Unlimited

Syllabus for CAMS Certification

The CAMS certification exam has four core online courses designed to provide professionals with the critical knowledge and practical skills that are required for the compliance industry. Each course integrates global best practices with regional and industry-specific insights, forming the foundation of your certification journey.

1. Understanding the Risks and Methods of Financial Crime

• Money Laundering and Financial Crime
• Money Laundering Risks in Financial Services
• Money Laundering Risks in Nonbank Financial Institutions
• Money Laundering Risks in DNFBPs and Other High-Risk Sectors

2. Global AFC Frameworks, Governance, and Regulations

• Global AFC Standards and Guidance
• AFC Regulations and Regimes
• Use of Guidance and AFC Cooperation

3. Building an AFC Compliance Program

• Components of an AFC Program
• Risk Assessment
• Design your AFC Program and Controls
• Transaction Monitoring and Investigation
• Concluding Investigations and Coordinating with Law Enforcement

4. Tools and Technologies to Fight Financial Crimes

• Technology for AFC Compliance
• Technology for Customer Onboarding
• Technology for Ongoing Monitoring and Investigations
• Data Collection and Preparation

ACAMS Certification Benefits

Earning the CAMS certification provides both professional credibility and long-term career growth. Some major ACAMS certification benefits include:

1. Advance Your Career

Strengthen your credentials and open new opportunities in the KYC and compliance domain.

2. Build Specialised Expertise

Gain in-depth skills to identify, investigate, and prevent money laundering and financial crimes.

3. Enhance Credibility and Value

Increase your professional recognition and earning potential within the global compliance community.

4. Stay Ahead of Regulations

Stay current with the latest AML laws, frameworks, and best practices.

ACAMS Preparation Tips

1. Understand the Exam Format

Candidates should thoroughly review the ACAMS Handbook so that they can understand the exam pattern, question types, and scoring system. Knowing the pattern of the exam helps a lot during the time of the exam.

2. Study the CAMS Study Guide

The primary learning resource for CAMS is their official study guide. The CAMS study guide covers all major areas of the exam syllabus, and it also includes practice exercises and case studies.

3. Join an ACAMS-recognised Training Provider

Getting enrolled in professional ACAMS courses from accredited institutions like Netrika Consulting helps candidates with structured guidance and mentorship. The trainers provide candidates with real-world case discussions, which make learning more practical and effective.

4. Create a Study Schedule

Discipline is key. After creating your study plan, you must keep to it without deviations. The plan needs to set precisely when to study and review, and how often to do mock exams. Built-in breaks during your study plan prevent burnout, while short breaks improve brain information retention and rest you up for continuing your work.

5. Monitor your progress regularly

Tracking your preparation is essential. Regularly perform CAMS mock tests to check your scores in each test. This practice will show you your weak points and make you familiar with both the exam’s difficulty and time requirements.
The process of establishing an early baseline performance after your preparation starts, followed by objective tracking of your growth over time, proves to be an effective way for controlling pre-exam anxiety.

The CAMS Certification Exam is a professional commitment to safeguard the financial system from illegitimate activities. ACAMS courses offer candidates global employability, analytical expertise and empower them to take proactive roles in combating financial crime. The certification provides you with more than a stamp of approval because it opens doors to worldwide career opportunities and advances your career as an internal auditor professionally.